The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission.
- Culture
Conservatives have been offered a MAGA-friendly alternative to Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show
Isabel Keane in New York & Brendan RasciusMonday 09 February 2026 01:01 GMT- Bookmark
- CommentsGo to comments
Bookmark popover
Removed from bookmarks
Close popover
CloseKid Rock defends Turning Point USA halftime show amid backlash
Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email
Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter
Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter
Email*SIGN UPI would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice
Just minutes before the Super Bowl kicked off, Turning Point USA announced that its alternate halftime show featuring Kid Rock will no longer be aired live on X.
“UPDATE: Due to licensing restrictions, we are unable to stream The All-American Halftime Show on X,” the conservative group said in a statement. It instead directed viewers to head over to the group’s YouTube channel “around” 8:00 p.m. ET.
It’s unclear where exactly the performance — which will feature several country artists — will take place.
Turning Point USA, founded by the late Charlie Kirk, announced its alternative halftime show last October amid mounting conservative criticism over Bad Bunny’s selection as the Super Bowl halftime performer.
His performance takes place a week after his latest album Debí Tirar Más Fotos became the first Spanish-language record to win Album of the Year at the Grammys.
A number of Republican lawmakers have said they are boycotting the performance by Bad Bunny, whom they have described as “woke.”
But, despite harsh criticism from Trump allies and voters, more Americans are interested in watching Bad Bunny perform in Sunday’s Super Bowl halftime show than Turning Point USA’s MAGA fest.
A YouGov America survey released Friday found that 35 percent of respondents prefer Bad Bunny’s show compared to 28 percent who said they were more interested in the Kid Rock-headlined event.
Key Points
- How to watch Turning Point USA's 'All-American Halftime Show'
- What we know about MAGA’s alternative Super Bowl halftime show
- Americans prefer Bad Bunny halftime over Kid Rock's performance: Poll
- Location of TPUSA's halftime remains unknown
- Alabama senator encourages Super Bowl viewers to tune into TPUSA's show
TPUSA halftime show countdown clock leaves viewers guessing
Viewers tuning into TPUSA’s “All-American” halftime show were left puzzled when a 30-minute countdown clock ended — yet the show still hadn’t begun.
The YouTube livestream currently says that the event, featuring Kid Rock, will start “soon.”
Brendan Rascius9 February 2026 01:01TPUSA teases 'All American Half Time Show is Loading'
Turning Point USA said that its alternate Super Bowl halftime show featuring Kid Rock is “loading” in a new video.
Earlier in the evening, the conservative organization announced that the performance will not be streamed on X due to licensing restrictions.
Turning Point USA teases "All American Half Time Show is Loading"Brendan Rascius9 February 2026 00:45Jake Paul says he'll be 'turning off' the Bad Bunny halftime show
Jake Paul, an influencer and boxer, said he’ll be “turning off” the Super Bowl’s halftime show, which is set to be headlined by Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny.
“Purposefully turning off the halftime show,” he wrote on X to his 4.4 million followers. “Let’s rally together and show big corporations they can’t just do whatever they want without consequences.”
“Turn off this halftime,” he added. “A fake American citizen performing who publicly hates America. I cannot support that.”
Brendan Rascius9 February 2026 00:20TPUSA says it will no longer stream halftime show on X due to licensing restrictions
Turning Point USA said that its halftime show will no longer be streamed live on X due to licensing restrictions.
Instead, the conservative group urged viewers to head over to its YouTube channel to watch the performance, which will be headlined by Kid Rock.
Brendan Rascius9 February 2026 00:00MAGA congressman Tim Burchett tells bizarre animal sex story when asked about Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show
Republican congressman Tim Burchett is going viral for telling a strange story about his old pet rabbit after being asked about Super Bowl halftime performer Bad Bunny.
“Dude, I wouldn't know if Bad Bunny walked up here and asked me if he could borrow my cell phone,” the Tennessee rep told a TMZ reporter in Washington in a video released on Saturday. “I really don’t know who he is.”
Burchett proceeded to tell the story of his own “bad bunny,” a Flemish giant rabbit named Flop, mating with another Flemish rabbit called Caramel.
Josh Marcus reports...
Rep. Tim Burchett tells bizarre sex story when asked about Bad Bunny Super Bowl show
While Burchett said he was unaware of the Puerto Rican hitmaker, other parts of the MAGA world are up in arms over his selection as the Super Bowl performerBrendan Rascius8 February 2026 23:45Location of TPUSA's halftime remains unknown
Turning Point USA’s Super Bowl halftime show will be streamed live on several platforms, but the location of the event has not been revealed.
The performance — which is being held as an alternative to Bad Bunny’s official halftime show — will feature Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice and Gabby Barrett.
According to TPUSA, it will be aired on X and YouTube as well as by several outlets, including The Daily Wire and the One America News Network.
It’s unclear where these musicians will perform and whether or not an audience will be present.
Lee Brice posted a video on Instagram yesterday saying he was “on the way” to the halftime show. The footage showed him on a bus traveling in the dark.
A spokesperson for TPUSA did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Independent.
Brendan Rascius8 February 2026 23:20Bad Bunny draws more interest on Google than Kid Rock
Ahead of the Super Bowl on Sunday, Bad Bunny drew roughly three times more search interest on Google than Kid Rock, data from Google Trends shows.
Bad Bunny, a Puerto Rican rapper, is headlining the halftime show at Levi’s Stadium, while Kid Rock is performing at TPUSA’s alternative halftime show, which will be streamed online.
Brendan Rascius8 February 2026 23:00What we know about MAGA’s alternative Super Bowl halftime show
MAGA is preparing to hold The All-American Halftime Show in protest of the NFL’s 2026 Super Bowl music acts.
Artists Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice and Gabby Barrett will perform at the Turning Point USA event, the organization announced Monday.
TPUSA, the right-wing political organization founded by late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, announced last October that it would host an alternative show February 8 — the same night as the NFL’s Super Bowl, which will see the New England Patriots face off against the Seattle Seahawks.
Inga Parkel reports...
What we know about MAGA’s alternative Super Bowl halftime show
Right-wing organization created ‘The All-American Halftime Show’ in protest of Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny taking the Super Bowl stageBrendan Rascius8 February 2026 22:30Video: Logan Paul asked if he's excited for Bad Bunny's halftime show
Internet personality Logan Paul was asked if he is excited for Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance this evening. See his response below.
Logan Paul asked if he is excited for Bad Bunny Super Bowl halftime performanceBrendan Rascius8 February 2026 22:00White House releases video of Trump discussing which team he will back at the Super Bowl
The White House released a video of President Donald Trump discussing which NFL team he is backing at the Super Bowl — though he stopped short of revealing his decision.
“I’ve watched all season, and I’ve seen these two teams just win, win, win,” he said, referring to the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks.
“Everybody wants to hear who I pick,” the 79-year-old president said. “And I’ll tell you what…”
The video then cuts to black.
Brendan Rascius8 February 2026 21:45Newer1 / 3OlderMore about
Super BowlKid RockNFLSpanishrapperProtestJoin our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments
